May 2013

Karaoke & Motorbike Adventures in Vietnam and Other Stories

In the photographs below are images of my adventurous shipmates who sailed with me from Hong Kong to Singapore. We spent nine wonderful days aboard the Silverseas Silver Shadow. I could fill pages of at least a dozen newsletters with our experiences, but I will just give you a glimpse of our trip.

Early on in the journey and getting to know each other, dinner conversation was generally about food.  Where do you like to eat, what was your favorite meal, what was the weirdest thing you ever ate …We all were in agreement, especially by the end of the trip, that The BEST MEALS are the ones you eat with friends you enjoy!  That being said, we did our best to dine on traditional Vietnamese dishes whenever possible during the day and at night we dined on the Relais & Chateaux food at sea. I had my first taste of mangosteens, dragonfruit, (refused the Durian – though enjoyed by some of my shipmates), Longan fruit and more exotic looking specimens. On the ship, I had my fill of ripe papaya, melon and berries everyday.

On our first drive to Hanoi, (what should have taken 3 1/2 hours took closer to 5), we gazed out of the van windows and had our first glance of Vietnam.During the the five hours of changing scenery, we watched the population go by us on motorbikes, we saw rice fields and water buffalo, palm trees, food stands – carts every few feet and many, many people.Gail started pointing out the Karaoke Clubs, which there were many, seem-ingly deserted but with big welcoming signs beckoning for singers to come in. Karaoke in imagin-ation stayed with us for the week, but not once were we able to partake – and that was not without trying.

          

Prior to leaving for Asia, I discovered HanoiKids Club, a student-run organization that recruits university students to offer voluntary city tours of Hanoi while practicing their English. I made arrangements for two students to meet us for a “Food, Photo and Fun Tour”.

 

Excited to guide an American group, our lovely docents Lien and Huong took command and first off taught us how to cross the street in Hanoi – BE FEARLESS!  When asked where to? what would you like to see? – the only obvious choice was FOOD!  Take us to your favorite places. And they did, starting with their GO TO  spot for noodles. Later in the day, they luckily saved us from taking some risky tastes at some questionable street food stands. The tour continued to the big food market, their college hangout for chè (a traditional Vietnamese dessert soup or pudding) and a very long walk around the lake. This day was one of the highlights of the week and the only downside was that we did not have enough time to spend with them!

 

Our next adventure was a road trip to Hoi An, a few hours west of our port in Chan May/Hue. The old section of Hoi An still maintains its character of a quaint, ancient historical town preserved from centuries ago. This was the destination for our next food adventure. Morning Glory Cooking School  came highly recommended and was well worth the ride to get there.  We started out with a visit to the market, where we were introduced to a wide assortment of exotic fruits, vegetables and herbs. Back at the school, our class was taught by Lulu, one Ms Vy’s assistants, who did an excellent job. Here we learned how to make rice paper rolls with pork, prawns and noodles as well as a lovely salad with mango and marinated BBQ chicken. After class we indulged in our efforts as well as tasting some other traditional Hoi An preparations.

Not sure about the rest of the gang, but our motorbike tour of Ho Chi Minh City/Saigon will never be forgotten!  XO Tours is an innovative company that offers various themed motorbike tours of the city. I selected the “Foodie Tour” at night hoping that we would be able to see and taste the most unique street food with a reliable expert. The all-women drivers arrived dressed in their traditional Ao Dai  and they whisked us through the heavily populated streets stopping at one amazing street vendor after another.All in all, it was a great trip – certainly a change in my normal routine. Are you tempted to come on a trip with me?  If so – where would you consider going?? Shoot me an email and let me know!

A special thanks to Michael and his team at Millennium Travel!  I am grateful to have such a wonderful travel partner.

 

 

NEW WEBSITE FOR CATERS!

 

 

FRIDAY, AUGUST 30
Sonoma Starlight
Francis Ford Coppola Winery
the girl & the fig CATERS!

AL FRESCO – FOOD – WINE – PRIDE & JOY – CIGAR BAR 

SATURDAY, AUGUST 31
Taste of Sonoma
MacMurray Ranch

FOOD – WINE – EDUCATION – DEMOS – MARKETPLACE

Named one of the “10 Best Wine and Food Events in the United States”

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 1st
Sonoma Harvest Wine Auction
Chateau St Jean

The Toy Box
Some of Sondra’s latest favorites … 

A sure sign that spring is in full bloom is when the Strawberry Farm on Watmaugh Road opens. We simply can not get enough of these incredible berries. NEVER have I tasted better!

Bottle Rock 2013
May 9 – 12
Napa Valley 

MOTHER’S DAY
the girl & the fig
the fig cafe & winebar
May 12

 

Project Ahimsa
Sonoma Sessions
May 18
Healdsburg

 

Cooking for Solutions
Monterey Bay Aquarium
May 18
Monterey

 

Cooking Class 
with Chef Bryan Jones
Ramekins
May 23
Sonoma

 

Broadway Under the Stars
Jack London State Park
Glen Ellen

We keep our Public Event Calendar current with new events as they are confirmed.
Check the calendar or our Facebook page to keep up with us and get in our 2013 Sonoma groove!

Get something FIGGY for Mom
Order today for Mother’s Day Presents!

 

 

 

 

 

 

     

Lots more at the FIGSTORE

We are getting ready to COOK, ROCK and ROLL.
GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICHES
Joe Matos St George,  MANO FORMATE HAM

several versions to choose from(including one on gluten free bread)

May 9 – May 12
If you like Rock & Roll, Concerts, Food and Wine – this is a Music Festival not to be missed!

 

 

 

Listen to my Bottlerock Artist Playlist

Notes from our Intern, Durae:

It seems that summer has arrived early this year, and with the gorgeous weather comes the bustle of the season in Sonoma County. After many years of heat infused and lackadaisical summers spent in Texas, the heightened activity in these parts still catches me by surprise.

This month, I was able to assist with the revamping and re-launching of our CATERS! website.  In case you’re wondering what fun offerings our talented chefs and catering staff have hatched for the summer, take a look here. (Spoiler: picnics, pizza parties, a brand new venue!). There are so many possibilities for enjoying all this lovely region offers this time of year, and celebrating the flavors of the season with food and wine is (I think) one of the best!

While working on the site, looking over new menus, studying beautiful wedding venues, and reading up on possible party ideas, I was inspired to take better advantage of all that surrounds us in wine country this summer. But with the excitement of the season coming on, events to plan and prepare for, visitors to anticipate, planting, gard-ening, and harvesting to attend to, there’s a certain feeling that it might all fly by too quickly—so amidst all the activity, I’ll have to slow down to a southern-summer pace once in a while…or, at least, try.

Happy almost-summer, everyone!

If you were one of the lucky ones to get to see Broadway Under the Stars last summer at Jack London State Park, you already know that this is the hottest ticket in Wine Country and by now you probably already have your tickets!If not, make your reservations today because I have no doubt that each night will be a sell out!

The season starts  June 28 – 30, July 5 – 6 with ”Fly Me To the Moon”. The second performance is the “Fantastical Family Night” on July 19 – 20. Additional shows run all the way through August 31st.

We are excited to partner with Trancendence Theater Company on their first weekend as we will bring our Wood-Fired Oven up to Jack London State Park to prepare Toasty Meatball Sandwiches smothered in cheese and sauce and Fire Roasted Corn on the Cob.  There will be more food options as well as some of our favorite wineries pouring their wine.

Reservations

The internet has changed many things including the way we make restaurant reservations.  We are excited to announce that we are transitioning over to CityEats, a new platform presented by the Food Network.  Already in Miami, Washington DC, Phoenix , and a few more areas, the CityEats website for the San Francisco Bay Area/Wine Country is scheduled to launch later this year.

For the OpenTable members that have been making reservations through OpenTable, you will still be able to do this for a few weeks — but as soon as CityEats website launches in our area, our presence on Opentable will be minimal and we encourage you to make reservations via CityEats on our website.

April 2013

Adventures with Mack the Knife in the Rhone Valley and Other Stories

The Decouvertes has such a fond place in our hearts that it is almost like going home when we visit the Rhone Valley every other year.  This March was no different.  Two years went by quite quickly, but upon arrival it seemed like we were just there last week.

This year, we got to meet a precious new baby girl and received the news that another winemaker friend has one on the way. We were lucky to be in attendance to a rockin’ band that headlined Yves Gangloff, Pierre Jean Villa and Paul in contrast to a 12+ person Horn Band playing Rugby Songs (I think). We made our pilgrimage to the Vahlrona Chocolate Factory Store in Tain Hermitage (I think they saw us coming)! Pastis reemerged with the question, “why I don’t drink this on a regular basis?”

To put this event in perspective, imagine — every day for four days straight –going to a party where over 50 amazing winemakers are pouring your favorite wines,  and long tables are filled with the most decadent spread of French cheeses, pates, crudites, bread, and desserts. Heaven!  Add another layer of activity at night: dinners, parties, singing Mack the Knife, and conversation. Okay – you may think I am boasting about the decadence of this trip – but seriously, this is hard work and it must get done!

 1. Vicki & Howard Carroll 2. Sondra & Phillipe Cambie 3. Yves Gangloff 4. Vicki, Howard, John Lancaster, Sondra, John 5. Yves Cuilleron & Baby Ysia

NEWS ALERT!!!! Amazing Flea Market Finds in Lyons Les Puces du Canal. A must do when visiting Lyons – AWESOME – could have spent all day there.

Plats du Jour – the theme of our last cookbook and our weekly menus – continues to inspire me in France. Such an important way of eating and the opportunity to taste the Chef’s newest creations and the best of the season.

Black Truffles on Toast

One last word (two words) FOIE GRAS

For more pictures from our recent trip click here!

Notes from our Intern, Durae:

I was able to spend a lot of time this month working on updating the girl & the fig’s website to include new retailers carrying our fig food line of goodies.  It was amazing to me to see how far and wide our fig products travel!  Across the country, the girl & the fig can be found in off-the-beaten-path locales to downtown urban hubs.  Locations vary from rural mom and pop shops like Valley Shepherd Creamery, sheep ranchers who cave-age their cheeses and proudly define their endeavors as “an experiment that defies U.S. ‘big food’ traditions,” to historic urban neighborhoods like Seattle’s Pike Place or New York’s Flatiron District, where Beecher’s Handmade Cheese is found.In the bigger scope of things, what makes me happy is to realize that there are so many people out there who love good food.  And not just that, but who care about their food, where it comes from, what’s in it, and whether it’s made with care and goodwill.  We’re blessed in Sonoma County to live amongst farmers and artisans and crafters of good food–so much so, that it can be easy to take for granted.  It’s wonderful to see places all over the country supporting local producers and purveyors, and to see that people everywhere are supporting independents in a way that we all know matters on a scale both big and small.  Discovering these retailers also made me realize there are so many places out there that I’d like to go eat!  If I had my pick, I’d start in one of my most-loved towns: Austin, Texas.  Antonelli’s Cheese Shop looks divine…

We are getting ready to COOK, ROCK and ROLL. Not sure what we will be serving yet but we will keep you posted! If you like Rock & Roll, Concerts, Food and Wine – this is a Music Festival not to be missed!Listen to my Bottlerock Artist Playlist

Reservations

The internet has changed many things including the way we make restaurant reservations.  We are excited to announce that we are transitioning over to CityEats, a new platform presented by the Food Network.  Already in Miami, Washington DC, Phoenix , and a few more areas, the CityEats website for the San Francisco Bay Area/Wine Country is scheduled to launch later this year.CityEats will bring a new look to Restaurant Reservations. The website itself is full of content and luscious looking food photography. You can also readabout the CityEats Rewards plan where you can earn giftcards to Amazon and itunes or even donate your loyalty dollars to Share our Strength.For the OpenTable members that have been making reservations through OpenTable, you will still be able to do this for a few months — but as soon as CityEats website launches in our area, our presence on Opentable will be minimal and we encourage you to make reservations via CityEats on our website.

SAVE THE DATE & SIGN UP TODAY

Cooking Class Thursday, May 23rd Chef Bryan Jones the fig cafe & winebar~MENU~ Bryan’s White Sangria Quinoa Salad, Sweet 100’s, Roasted Poblano Chile & Queso Fresco Guacamole Taquero, Chips Grilled Corn, Cumin Butter Highway 12 Grilled Chicken, Tomato & Serrano Chile Salsa Coconut Tapioca Pudding, Grilled Pineapple & Toasted Coconut

Bottle Rock 2013 May 9 – 12 Napa ValleyMOTHER’S DAY the girl & the fig the fig cafe & winebar May 12

Project Ahimsa Sonoma Sessions May 18 Healdsburg

Cooking for Solutions Monterey Bay Aquarium May 18 Monterey

Cooking Class  with Chef Bryan Jones Ramekins May 23 Sonoma

Broadway Under the Stars Jack London State Park Glen Ellen  Many dates to choose from starting in June.

DO NOT MISS SEEING ONE OF THESE SHOWS if you are going to be in Sonoma this summer.

We keep our Public Event Calendar current with new events as they are confirmed. Check the calendar or our Facebook page to keep up with us and get in our 2013 Sonoma groove!

The Toy Box Some of Sondra’s latest favorites …

It took some old friends visiting from the East Coast to introduce me to the beautiful Sonoma Overlook Trail. Funny as I get ready to set sail across the world, they guided me on a lovely hike in my own backyard. ~ forkly.com - post your favorite food pictures and find other yummy dishes near you

~ During my trip in France I started reading an inspirational book called,“The Monk who Sold His Ferrari” Since I am only half way through I can only halfway recommend it. ~ Ever want to publish your own magazine?  Here are 2 options: MAGCLOUD - physical magazine & online version FLIPBOARD  - online app for iphone and ipadHAVE A GREAT MONTH!

March 2013

PIZZA!  

  

Did you know that we have a MOBILE WOOD FIRED PIZZA OVEN?

Even though we are no longer creating pizzas at ESTATE, you can still have them at your own catered event thanks to a fantastic custom oven on wheels that we recently purchased. Chef John has perfected our pizza dough, and not only are we able to make our pizza and flatbreads, we have also created a handful of DESSERT PIZZAS: Nutella, Bananas & Walnuts, Caramel Apple & Sea Salt, S’mores, and more to come!

Do you see a Pizza Party in your future? Pizza Buffets can cost as little as $20 per person, which includes four pizza choices for two hours ($750 minimum within a 15 mile radius). Call us at the girl & the fig CATERS! (933-3667) for more info and to reserve your date!

March 18 – March 24
RESTAURANT WEEK MENUS

the girl & the fig
$29

Wild Mushroom Fricassee, Gremolata, Grilled Bread
Game Hen Roulade, Gnocchi, Leeks, Green Garlic Pistou
Meyer Lemon Trifle, Candied Zest

the fig cafe & winebar
$19

Café Caeser Salad
Prosciutto & Petit Agour Stuffed Chicken Breast, Piquillo Pepper- Caramelized Onion Polenta, Braised Greens
Persimmon cake, Caramel Sauce, Vanilla Ice Cream

Notes from our Intern, Durae:

I feel very fortunate to be interning with the girl & the fig this semester.  I was first drawn to the girl & the fig by the sweet memories I had of eating at the café with my family years ago. Having since moved half-way across the country and back again, I’ve found myself drawn again and again to my love of farming and all things food.  I’m currently attending SRJC, studying business administration and as many farming classes as I’m able. The challenge of fusing my more practical nature with the pursuits I enjoy most was met perfectly when I was given the opportunity to join the girl & the fig’s business office this semester.

I’ve catered with the girl & the fig for the past year and am always impressed by the very high standards of this group. To me, the best satisfaction is to be found in a job well done, and I’m learning something new each day I work with them.  Their passion for food, not only its preparation but also its story, reflects the care that goes into every aspect of their work.  It’s a terrific experience to view the operation from so many angles–the meticulous planning and execution of catering, the constant attention to detail in the office, the creativity and skill of the chefs, and the teamwork that goes into it all is amazing and an education in itself to me.  My next hope—to do some work on the farm!

 

March seems to be the month of all things Rhone!  Definitely one of our favorite places to visit, wine to drink and food & wine events to attend. This year is no different. We hope that you can join us for an amazing weekend with some of our favorite talented winemakers!

16th Annual Rhone Rangers Weekend
San Francisco

Friday, March 22

Fifteen-Winery Winemaker Dinner & Live Auction
the girl & the fig CATERS will be cooking dinner!

6 pm – 9 pm

Saturday, March 23
Seminars 10 – 12:45
Grand Tasting and Silent Auction
Trade Tasting 1 – 3      Consumer Tasting 3 – 6

See what wineries will be there!

 

 

 

 

Good Press: Press Democrat Review by Jeff Cox
Feb 15, 2013
We are so thankful that we get to add a little bit of our own fig-experience to each of our guests’ time in Sonoma, whether it be one of our favorite locals or a visitor just passing through. The good words that we receive from time to time in response to that experience make the hard work we do that much sweeter and all the more worth it.

We are happy to share with you a recent review we received from Jeff Cox with the Press Democrat, which along with some kind words has some gorgeous pictures. We hope to see you soon for your own fig-experience!
“To sum up: As Chef John Toulze keeps developing his skill, the food at this now-famous restaurant just keeps getting better.”
For the whole review and pictures

SWEET TOOTH!

       

Some things are just too good to stay away forever. We are excited to relaunch our new and improved FIG CARAMEL SAUCES. Made for us by our friends at The King’s Cupboard in Montana, these caramel sauces are good enough to eat out of the jar, but we can also think of oh so many good things to use it on.

Organic Apples, Vanilla Ice Cream, Chocolate Cookies, Hot Fudge Sundaes …

Coming soon to our website, to your favorite gourmet food stores (hopefully!) and available for tasting at the girl & the fig soon.

 This is me dreaming about my motorbike Night Food Tour in Ho Chi Minh City!

VIETNAM CRUISE
LAST CHANCE!

There are still cabins available on my Silversea Cruise going to the South China Sea.

CALL TODAY

831-659-0151

  

the farm project

Even though it is only the end of February, it feels like spring. After weeks of amending the soil and working on the pathways and rows, we are busy planting the following items:
fava beans, carrots, green garlic, radishes, potatoes, chard, herbs, strawberries, lavender …

We would love for you to stop by and see the farm anytime!
Imagery Estate Winery
14335 Highway 12 - Glen Ellen

If you don’t have time to visit, follow along with the weekly farm blog!

Sonoma Valley Sharecropper Pickling Spices

If you are thinking about pickling some vegetables this year, why not try our Sonoma Valley Sharecropper Pickling Spices. Three different blends for a variety of different vegetables. Our spices are available at our webstore, the girl & the fig and at Williams-Sonoma.

Greetings from Sonoma

The staff worked incredibly hard during the days we were closed to get the restaurant in tip top shape for the new year. On our very long to-do list there were many cleaning projects, repairs and new additions that I think you will see right away on your next visit.

Beautiful new fabric covers the banquettes in the dining room. The color is similar, but the texture is firm, luxe and it feels good to sit on. The old cheese bar was removed and replaced with a new one made with reclaimed wood. Don George, our friend from Ecowood who built our bars and barn doors at Suite D did a gorgeous job. With this new design, we concentrated on the ease of use and that included an additional 8 inches of aisle space and a new ice bin. Sometimes it is the little things that are the ones that make the most difference.

     

We’ve added a clear tent onthe patio for the colder winter months. We worked with Wine Country Party (one of our favorite catering vendors), who were extremely helpful in erecting a terrific tent and went even further by helping us soften the space with use of fabric and burlap to create a look that brings the girl & the fig outside even in the rain. It is cozy out there with the heaters, but if you need a bit more warmth, we have plenty of blankets.

We’ve also replaced a 20 year old stove/oven with a workhorse, one that I hope will last just as long; an improvement that you won’t be able to see, but I know this one was extremely appreciated by our kitchen staff.

Chef Bryan and his team have also been doing quite a bit of their own deep spring cleaning. Not necessarily a fun job but definitely one which is needed after a busy year. Artist in residence, Julie Higgins installed some new art, and we’ve added a few tiles to the floor.  It is recognized that the fig cafe is such a family, neighborhood comfort spot; always a friendly face from guests and staff alike. Most of the fig cafe regulars know our crew by name.Follow the fig cafe FACEBOOK page - Chef Bryan keeps it updated with his menu changes. The dish below is one of the recipes which Chef Bryan created for the Cookbook, Fig & Verjus Braised Pork Shoulder.

The 2013 catering season launched with our participation in a fun wedding collection called The Lab Event. We were one of the caterers offering delicious nibbles as prospective brides networked with event planners, florists and cake designers, including our good friends at Crisp Bake Shop. There were almost a dozen different decorated nooks, each with a different theme. It was great to see what these amazing, talented vendors were doing and what the new trends of the year might bring. Of course, everyone loved our Truffled Mac & Cheese and were curious to taste our “fig elixir” (a warm tonic of water, maple syrup, lemon juice and cayenne). It was also a wonderful night to reconnect with old friends.

Another fun event to kick off the year was Michael Muscardini’s grand opening of his new tasting room in Kenwood. Chef John and Chef Uriel fired up the Pizza Oven and they were tossing pies for hours. Combined with another win and a step towards the Super Bowl for the 49ers – it was a great weekend!

Somehow, we work through the busy season thinking that January will bring relief to the long days of summer and fall, but not this year. We are sending wedding and party proposals out like mad. 2013 is going to be a terrific year to celebrate – and I hope we can do that with you!

In the news:

We are anxiously waiting for Gaia’s new baby and at the same time we are welcoming Aimee Hanson into our company as an Event Manager.

I would love to hear what recipes you have made from Plats du Jour. Producing the book was a gratifying experience, and the only thing that could make it even better is to have friends actually cook from it and create memorable meals. Feel free to shoot me an email with pictures and stories, and if you made some changes to the recipes, I would be interested in hearing about that, too!

   

Since Dungeness Crab season is in its glory, I definitely recommend preparing the Dungeness Crab & Avocado Salad on page 44. This is a simple recipe to follow and the result is a salad with an amazing combination of flavors.

EVENTS

VinOlivo

Friday, February 15
The Lodge at Sonoma

Annadel Winery Winemaker Dinner
Saturday, February 16
Annadel Estate Winery

Prospect 772 Winemaker Dinner
Saturday, February 23

Prospect 772 Winery

Découvertes en Vallée du Rhône

March 11 – 14

Rhone Valleys, France

Sonoma County Restaurant Week

March 18 – 26
the girl & the fig
the fig cafe & winebar

Rhone Rangers Winemaker Dinner

March 22
The General’s Residence

Rhone Rangers Grand Tasting
March 23
Fort Mason

Silversea Cruise with Sondra
April 2 – 11
Hong Kong – Vietnam – SingaporeSonoma Valley International Film Festival
April 10 – 14
Sonoma

We keep our Public Event Calendar current . We do however add events when new ones are booked. Check it out to keep up with us and get in our 2013 Sonoma groove!

There are still cabins available on my Silversea Cruise going to the South China Sea. I can’t tell you how excited I am to go to a country where I’ve never been: Vietnam! Food, friends and photography will be the focus – I hope you will consider joining me on this adventure!

In our newly designed retail section at the girl & the fig, we made some room to offer some of the finest packets from Baker Seeds. Sitting next to the Sonoma Valley Sharecropper jars and pickling spices, these heirloom seeds are just waiting to be snatched up and be planted.

Our products are available in over 100 stores across the country. If you don’t see them at your favorite cheese shop or specialty market, please ask for them. Or, you can certainly order all of our products online through the FIGSTORE.

2012 was an impressive year for Suite D. We were able to provide a good return to our KICKSTARTER backers who helped us figure out what works best in our crazy industrial space.

The backer rewards included: cocktail parties, music, family style dinners, cooking classes, sponsorship gatherings, board meetings, staff gatherings, baby showers, and a ping pong tournament to round things off.

This year the space will be used for tastings with our upcoming wedding clients as well as D Cafe at Suite D.  We will give you all the details once they’ve been ironed out and hope that you’ll be able to experience Suite D soon.

Just so you don’t think that I am all work and no play, I wanted to share some of my favorites from last year in hopes that they’ll bring you much fun this year.

Eat Your Books - For when your cookbooks and recipes need some organization …

Pandora - For when you need to discover new sounds …
(I found some great bands that I had never heard before; The Lumineers, Seryn, Fleet Foxes and more …)

Alameda Flea Market - For when you want to unearth some new treasures …

Paper 53 - For when you feel the need to doodle …

     

January 2013

Happy New Year!
Wishing you the best of everything!

Personally, I am gearing up for a year of adventure and fun.

One of my adventures this year is a cruise to Vietnam in April, and I hope you can come along with me.

Planning a Journey

What better way to achieve some of my New Year’s Goals and get my creative juices going than to host a cruise on Silverseas from Hong Kong to Singapore with a food & photo focus?

Vietnam is an interesting country on so many levels, though I am NOT a history buff and I will not be delving into the Vietnam war monuments and memorials. I will however be looking at Vietnam as it is today. Everything that I have heard and read describes how friendly and gracious the Vietnamese people are and how amazing the food is, especially the markets and the street food.  Most of all, I have heard of the exquisite beauty of the country – something I am looking forward to seeing firsthand.

I did not think that I would enjoy seeing the world from a ship, but I must admit, I am excited by this upcoming cruise; I love coming into the different ports, with a glimpse of the land ahead, the busy port with ships coming in and out and the hustle and business of water commerce.

If this is a destination that you have wanted to visit, consider joining me for what will be a once in a lifetime experience!

Leisurely voyage on the South China Sea on Silversea’s Silver Shadow.

  

Click to watch, A Taste of Vietnam, a tasty video to make you hungry for Vietnam by theperennialplate

Handpicked Discoveries

My initial bucket list for this trip:

EAT – PHOTOGRAPH – DISCOVER
Take a Street Food Tour from a local
Visit the Markets;
Chau Long Market – Hanoi
Dam Market – Nha Trang
Dong Ba Market – Hue
Ben Thanh Market – Ho Chi Minh City
Take a tour on a pedicab
Take a cooking class
Visit a Zen Monastery in Ha Long Bay
Cruise in a Junk

   
My initial list of things I want to taste:

Vietnamese Coffee
pho broth with noodles of every variety
banh mi (everyday baguette sandwiches)
muc nuong (grilled squid)
ngheu hap (clams with ginger, lemongrass, and fresh mint)
cao lau (tangy broth with anise and soy sauce, chives, mint, cilantro, crumbled rice cracker)
thit nuong (grilled meat)
banh uot thit nuong (dim sum with grilled pork)
goi cuon (fresh summer rolls with sweet shrimp)
cha gio cua (crab spring rolls)
jackfruit, soursop, papaya, mango
sinh (smoothies)

I am sure this list will be revised a few times prior to the trip!

“Hue is renowned for its elaborate cuisine, developed by the skilled cooks of the royal court. Legend has it that the Nguyen kings, who ruled a united Vietnam from Hue in the 19th century, refused to eat the same meal twice in a year, so their cooks came up with hundreds of distinct, visually arresting dishes (most using the same few dozen ingredients).”

Reading

Here are a few blogs that I have been reading that are getting me excited for the trip! Luckily there are no calories involved in reading!

Sticky Rice
Culinary Wanderlust
Viet Street Food
Everything you want to know about Pho

Contact for more information, pricing and for reservations!

Coastal Vietnam

831-659-0151

December 2012

Time for some Comfort Food!

Soup is one of my very favorite things to eat this time of the year, and there is no shortage of ideas and flavors with such an abundance of winter vegetables. In ‘Plats du Jour’, you will find many recipes for soups, including Wild Mushroom, Butternut Squash, Truffled Potato & Leek, Carrot with Fava Bean Pistou, Chilled Asparagus, and Parsnip & Ciipollini Onion. In our first book, the girl & the fig Cookbook, there are another dozen recipes such as the popular Cauliflower Gruyere Soup and the White Bean & Duck Confit Soup.

When preparing soup, here are a few tips that will make your soup even better:
1 - Use the best ingredients you can find – seasonal vegetables, fresh herbs and especially a good quality stock.
2 - If you do not make your own stock, you can buy broth from the store.  Read the label – use a low sodium version so that you can control your seasoning.
3 – Speaking of seasoning, do it in layers – a little bit of salt in each of the preparation steps will prevent over seasoning.
4 - If you want a creamy soup, try nonfat Greek yogurt instead of cream, but remember to add it to the soup off of the heat or it may curdle.
5 - Lastly, experiment with flavors and textures that you like and even different garnishes that will change it up a bit.

My mom is heading out for a visit in a few weeks, so I can be assured of having some of her amazing Chicken Soup (hint, hint).

Happy Holidays to all of our family & friends.

As we look back on a very busy year, we have so much to be thankful for.Our staff has worked tremendously hard to show you the best of Sonoma, from the earth, the vine and our hearts.

We are looking forward to an exciting 2013, with lots of fun in store for all of us!

Keep in touch, we will keep you posted!

December 13
Late Night at Cornerstone

We will be signing books and making a recipe from the book!

Vietnam in the Springtime

Silversea’s Silver Shadow

Hong Kong, Coastal Vietnam, Singapore
April 2 – April 11

As I research my upcoming trip to Coastal Vietnam, I am getting more and more excited to go!  Of course, I am thinking about the food and what interesting dishes I will get to see and taste. I am dreaming of the markets (which look to be on small boats) and bicycles, and I am inspired by the colors of the landscapes and the big smiles of not only the Buddhas but the children and the locals in their homes.

Follow my Vietnam Pinterest Board and see if you can see where my excitement is coming from!

Contact Millennium Travel for more information at 831-659-0151 or view the website.

Ping Pong in Sonoma!

Our first Ping Pong Social was a success! Thanks to everyone who came out to enjoy the festivities. We saw some incredible games with trick shots, spin and even a few bulls eyes.

After about 8 rounds, we were able to crown Joe the winner of the 1st Double Elimination Championship.

The chefs prepared an array of food appropriate for Ping Pong, including Parmesan-Truffle Popcorn, Miniature Beef-Brie Sliders, Spicy Chicken Wings, Sinful Macaroni & Cheese, Antipasti, and a Dessert Buffet.
We had an official Ball Girl, Tournament Timer & Score Keeper and Barmen!

Look for more Ping Pong Socials in the Future or Host one at Suite D for your friends next year!

Midnight shopping?

Visit our new webstore, same great products,easier to find what you are looking for!

If you are a retailer and are interested in carrying our products in your store - give us a call at 866-420-FIGS

STAY TUNED FOR D CAFE at SUITE D

Our D CAFE will POP-UP in January.

Wed & Thur Nights will be Dinner at the D ~  featuring a different set menu each week.

Expect great reasonably priced comfort food from our Chefs, unique wines and a bit of fun!

Menus and pricing will be posted on the Suite D website, the Event Calendar andEVENTBRITE.

Tickets must be pre-paid through EVENTBRITE in advance.

Suite D

RECENT Suite D photographs from the Backer Party on October19th.
by Megan Clouse

   

    

the girl & the fig
IPHONE APP!

November 2012

THINKING OF YOU!
Our hearts and prayers go out to all of our friends and family on the East Coast dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.  We wish you all a safe and speedy recovery!

Our first Suite D Kickstarter Cooking Class was a huge success.  Our good friends Don & Colette George invited some of their out of town friends for a class and lunch, and it was a blast! Don designed and manufactured our rolling bar/counters for Suite D and they worked as the perfect desk for the cooking class.

John taught the class some of our dishes from our book,Plats du Jour, including the Heirloom, Tomato & Watermelon Salad, Provencal Sole with Pepper & Olive Vinaigrette, Padron Peppers, and our Decadent Chocolate Brownies.

  

  

  

We have a feeling that our classes are going to be very popular.  See Suite D’s website for more information and the pricing for our classes.

PLATS DU JOUR, the girl & the fig’s Journey Through the Seasons in Wine Country

BUY ONE TODAY

We will miss you!

My friend Ron introduced Julie to me back in 2002. Basically, he said that he had the perfect person for me, and he was right! Julie started working for us in accounting (and more!) on April 21, 2002. Back then, our office was behind the fig cafe in Glen Ellen in a 10 x 10 office. Julie has seen firsthand our company grow from 25 employees to over 200. She has been instrumental in creating and maintaining our administrative affairs, and especially in paying our bills on time!  Her enthusiasm for our company and our FIGfood line has been passed on to thousands of guests, clients, merchants, and employees over the years.

We have been through so much together and words cannot show the love and gratitude that I personally feel for Julie.  All of us at the girl & the fig and the fig cafe wish Julie and Ron the very best of everything as they move to their dream house in Oregon.

You will be missed, and I hope that we will always stay in touch.
xoxo

HOLIDAY PARTY in the WORKS?

It is not too late to plan a fun celebration for your family or staff!!

Sit down dinner for 60  ~~~ Cocktail Party for 85
Ping Pong Social for 45 ~~~ or, or, or …

What is your perfect party?

Suite D
unique, new, fun, options, delicious
your party – your way!
call 933-3666
www.figsuited.com

Sondra goes exploring on Silversea’s Silver Shadow

Hong Kong, Coastal Vietnam, Singapore
April 2 – April 11

Just six months away! I am so excited about exploring this country that is rich in history, culture, beauty, and amazing cuisine. I hope you will join me on this once in a lifetime excursion!

Contact Millennium Travel for more information at 831-659-0151 or view the website.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Estate at Suite D
November 2nd, 2012
Backer Reward - Four Course Dinner with wine
Few Openings Left

PING PONG SOCIAL
Sat. November 17
2 – 6 pm
Suite D

the girl & the fig CATERS!
will be at Cline Cellars!

THANKSGIVING DINNER at
the fig cafe
Thur, Nov 22nd
1 – 6

THANKSGIVING DINNER at
the girl & the fig
Thur, Nov 22nd
12 – 8
ALMOST SOLD OUT!!

RECENT Suite D photographs from the Backer Party on October12th.  by Megan Clouse

      

the girl & the fig
IPHONE APP!

GOOD WORDS!